Is Vaseline Flammable? Can Vaseline Be Ignited?

Inside: Many people are under the impression that Vaseline is highly flammable as it is made with petroleum, but how true is this claim?

Is Vaseline flammable, can it be ignited and will it catch fire?

That’s what we are here to find out! But first let’s take a look at what Vaseline actually is to understand if it is flammable or not.

What is Vaseline?

Vaseline is the name for a highly popular and well known brand of petroleum jelly. This jelly is formed from minerals, and turned into a sort of wax that is easily spreadable and able to be coated onto the skin or lips.

Vaseline has been around for more than 150 years, and was first invented by a chemist named Robert Augustus Chesebrough in New York.

The petroleum jelly was initially designed to heal the wounds of oil workers, as this wax would soothe and heal skin wounds and burns when applied to the affected area.

Its main benefit is that it is made with petroleum, which can also help seal the skin and form a water protective barrier.

What is Vaseline used for?

Nowadays, Vaseline is just as popular as ever before. However, it is not just intended for oil workers, as pretty much everyone has a tub of Vaseline or petroleum jelly somewhere in their homes!

Vaseline is typically used to coat the lips and prevent them from drying or cracking. This substance moisturizes and soothes the skin, letting it heal properly.

Vaseline jelly is triple filtered, which means that it is safe to use and free from any harmful ingredients and impurities. This is why it has become a staple product perfect for skincare, and is used to repair and protect the skin.

Whether you use it for cuts and burns, to calm a rash, or to simply make your skin feel soft as velvet, Vaseline is incredibly useful.

Is Vaseline flammable?

Due to its immense skin healing capabilities, Vaseline can be found in any pharmacy, store or supermarket around the world.

It is used by people of all ages, being safe for babies, teens, adults and even the elderly. So, should we have this product in our homes and is it a fire risk?

Vaseline is not flammable, despite being made from petroleum. Petroleum itself is a highly flammable substance, but petroleum jelly is not at all flammable when stored properly and as directed. 

That being said, if you were to expose Vaseline to extremely high temperatures of more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then Vaseline petroleum jelly can give off vapors that may be flammable.

However, these are extreme temperatures, and it is highly unlikely that Vaseline would ever be stored in these conditions.

Even in the hot temperatures of the summer, your Vaseline will not get hot enough to become a fire hazard or flammable. 

How to store Vaseline

If you are wondering how to store Vaseline properly and safely, then we have got you covered. Vaseline is best stored in a cool, dry place.

Even though petroleum jelly is not flammable in its typical state, it is still best to keep it in a cool place.

This is not because it will catch fire, but because it may melt a little. Often, if a tub of Vaseline is left in a car during a hot day, it will start softening and melting.

This is why it is advisable to store Vaseline away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

What happens if you heat Vaseline?

If heated, the Vaseline will simply melt. Vaseline has a melting point of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit to about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it will not burn, it will just melt. 

Will Vaseline catch fire in a microwave oven?

Vaseline is made up of petroleum jelly, which is a nonpolar substance. This means that it will not start a fire, create a noxious gas or explode, and is therefore safe to put in the microwave.

However, you should not put the actual Vaseline container in the microwave as this will burn and melt.

Can Vaseline be ignited?

As previously stated, Vaseline has a very high burning point. Whilst it is made of petroleum, it is in the form of a jelly, which makes it extremely resistant and not as flammable.

As a substance itself, Vaseline is considered not flammable. However, it is not entirely non-flammable, as most substances will catch fire if exposed to temperatures high enough.

When it comes to Vaseline, you will be able to send it up in flames if you have temperatures extremely high and severe, or if you use a blow torch to ignite it!

That being said, those conditions are very unlikely in its everyday use, and Vaseline is perfectly safe to keep in the home, and does not pose a fire risk.

Summary

As Vaseline is a type of petroleum jelly, you may be wondering if it is a flammable substance, due to the fact it is made up of petroleum. However, Vaseline has a waxy texture, and is not considered a flammable substance. 

You would need extremely high temperatures to be able to ignite or burn Vaseline, as it typically just melts if exposed to hot temperatures.

As long as you store Vaseline properly, in a cool, dry place, there is no reason to be concerned about Vaseline being a fire hazard in your home!

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